Welcome to your new favorite holiday tradition: these incredible Christmas Sandwich Cookies! This recipe is the perfect blend of soft, buttery cookies and a rich, creamy filling that will have everyone reaching for seconds. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your holiday baking journey, this guide will walk you through creating the most festive and delicious cookie sandwiches. Perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or a cozy night in, these treats are guaranteed to spread Christmas cheer.
We’ve designed this recipe to be your ultimate resource. Not only will you get a foolproof recipe for the cookies themselves, but we’ll also explore delightful filling variations and provide expert tips to ensure your Christmas Sandwich Cookies are absolutely perfect every single time. Let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Sandwich Cookies Recipe
- Perfectly Soft & Chewy: The cookie base is wonderfully soft with slightly crisp edges, creating the ideal texture to complement a creamy filling.
- Incredibly Versatile: We’re sharing a classic vanilla buttercream filling, but this recipe is a fantastic canvas for other flavors like peppermint, chocolate, or even caramel!
- Festive and Fun: Decorating is half the fun! A simple roll in some festive sprinkles makes these cookies look like they came straight from a professional bakery. For other fun holiday treats, check out these Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can bake the cookies or even assemble the sandwiches ahead of time, making your holiday schedule that much easier.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of these filled Christmas cookies starts with simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.
For the Cookies:
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for our cookies.
- Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread just the right amount.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness.
- Unsalted Butter: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for a creamy texture.
- Granulated Sugar: For that classic cookie sweetness.
- Egg: Binds the ingredients together.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a touch of warm flavor.
For the Buttercream Filling:
- Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature.
- Powdered Sugar: Sifted to ensure a smooth, non-gritty filling.
- Vanilla Extract: For that classic buttercream taste.
- Heavy Cream or Milk: To get the perfect piping consistency.
- Festive Sprinkles: For decoration!
How to Make Christmas Sandwich Cookies Step-by-Step
Follow these simple instructions to create the most delicious holiday sandwich cookies. We’ll make the cookies first, then whip up the filling while they cool.
Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside. In a separate large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
Step 2: Mix and Chill the Dough
Beat the egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture until they are well combined. Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. For the best results and to prevent spreading, I recommend chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes.
Step 3: Bake the Cookies
Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely. It’s crucial they are fully cooled before filling.
Step 4: Make the Buttercream Filling
While the cookies cool, prepare the filling. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until it’s creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until it’s incorporated, then increase the speed to medium-high and beat for 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla and 1 tablespoon of heavy cream. Add more cream, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
Step 5: Assemble Your Christmas Cookie Sandwiches
Pair up your cooled cookies by size. Pipe or spread a generous amount of buttercream onto the flat side of one cookie and gently press another cookie on top to create a sandwich. Roll the exposed edges of the filling in festive sprinkles for a beautiful finishing touch. If you love festive desserts, you should also try our No-Bake Grinch Pie.
Tips for the Best Holiday Sandwich Cookies
- Don’t Skip Chilling the Dough: Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too much, ensuring they have the perfect shape and a chewy texture.
- Uniform Cookie Sizes: Use a cookie scoop to make sure your dough balls are all the same size. This makes for perfectly matched sandwich pairs.
- Cool Cookies Completely: If your cookies are even slightly warm, the buttercream filling will melt. Patience is key!
- Sift Your Powdered Sugar: For the smoothest, creamiest filling, always sift your powdered sugar to remove any lumps.
Flavor Variations & Fun Ideas
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Peppermint Buttercream: Add 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract to the buttercream and roll the edges in crushed candy canes.
- Chocolate Ganache Filling: For a richer treat, fill the cookies with a simple chocolate ganache. It’s a perfect pairing, much like our popular German Chocolate Pecan Brownies.
- Different Cookie Base: Try this filling with chocolate cookies, gingerbread cookies, or even red velvet cookies for a different flavor profile.
Storage Instructions
To keep your Christmas Sandwich Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If your kitchen is warm, it’s best to store them in the refrigerator. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container.
Absolutely! You can bake the cookies up to 3 days in advance and store them in an airtight container before filling. Alternatively, you can fully assemble the cookies and freeze them for up to 3 months. Just thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.
Once you’ve assembled a sandwich cookie, the filling will be exposed around the edges. Simply pour your festive sprinkles onto a shallow plate or bowl and gently roll the edges of the cookie through the sprinkles. The fresh filling will act as a perfect glue.
To prevent sogginess, make sure your cookies are completely cooled before adding the filling. Also, using a thicker filling, like a sturdy buttercream, helps create a barrier that keeps the cookie from absorbing too much moisture.
Store your Christmas sandwich cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If your filling is cream cheese-based or your kitchen is warm, it’s best to refrigerate them.
A classic vanilla buttercream is the most popular choice because of its creamy texture and complementary flavor. However, cream cheese frosting, chocolate ganache, and peppermint-infused buttercream are also delicious options that add extra festive flair.
Absolutely! You can bake the cookies up to 3 days in advance and store them in an airtight container before filling. Alternatively, you can fully assemble the cookies and freeze them for up to 3 months. Just thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.
Once you’ve assembled a sandwich cookie, the filling will be exposed around the edges. Simply pour your festive sprinkles onto a shallow plate or bowl and gently roll the edges of the cookie through the sprinkles. The fresh filling will act as a perfect glue.
To prevent sogginess, make sure your cookies are completely cooled before adding the filling. Also, using a thicker filling, like a sturdy buttercream, helps create a barrier that keeps the cookie from absorbing too much moisture.
Store your Christmas sandwich cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If your filling is cream cheese-based or your kitchen is warm, it’s best to refrigerate them.
A classic vanilla buttercream is the most popular choice because of its creamy texture and complementary flavor. However, cream cheese frosting, chocolate ganache, and peppermint-infused buttercream are also delicious options that add extra festive flair.
The Perfect Holiday Treat
These Christmas Sandwich Cookies are more than just a dessert; they’re a fun holiday activity and a delicious gift to share with loved ones. We know this recipe will become a cherished part of your holiday traditions for years to come. If you bake these festive treats, we’d love to see them! Share your creations and tag us on Pinterest. Happy holidays and happy baking!
Christmas Sandwich Cookies: The Ultimate Festive Treat
Create the ultimate festive treat with this easy Christmas Sandwich Cookies recipe! Soft, buttery cookies are filled with a creamy vanilla buttercream and decorated with holiday sprinkles for a perfect holiday dessert.
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing on low until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Bake for 9-11 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While cookies cool, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, then beat on medium-high for 3 minutes until fluffy. Mix in vanilla and 1 tablespoon of cream. Add more cream as needed for desired consistency.
- Pipe or spread filling on the flat side of one cookie and top with another. Roll the edges in festive sprinkles. Enjoy!
Notes
Tip 1: Use a cookie scoop for uniform cookies, which makes sandwiching them together much easier.
Tip 2: Ensure cookies are completely cool before filling to prevent the buttercream from melting.
Tip 3: For a peppermint twist, add 1/4 tsp of peppermint extract to the filling and roll in crushed candy canes.
Christmas Sandwich Cookies: The Ultimate Festive Treat
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing on low until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Bake for 9-11 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While cookies cool, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, then beat on medium-high for 3 minutes until fluffy. Mix in vanilla and 1 tablespoon of cream. Add more cream as needed for desired consistency.
- Pipe or spread filling on the flat side of one cookie and top with another. Roll the edges in festive sprinkles. Enjoy!
Notes
Tip 2: Ensure cookies are completely cool before filling to prevent the buttercream from melting.
Tip 3: For a peppermint twist, add 1/4 tsp of peppermint extract to the filling and roll in crushed candy canes.
